Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has expressed deep regret over his support for President Bola Tinubu, despite knowing about his past controversies involving drug trafficking and certificate forgery.
In an interview with BBC Hausa, El-Rufai said he had high hopes for Tinubu’s presidency because of the achievements he recorded as Lagos State governor. However, he admitted that Tinubu had failed to meet expectations.
“What pains me is that the government we supported and had confidence in would do well, because we saw what Tinubu did in Lagos despite his challenges,” he said in the interview published on Saturday.
Knew About Scandals but Still Supported Tinubu
El-Rufai openly acknowledged that he was aware of Tinubu’s past legal troubles in the United States but believed he could deliver good governance.
“We all know about his issues in Chicago, but we thought if he could replicate his work in Lagos for Nigeria, let’s support him. However, he failed,” El-Rufai lamented.
Tinubu’s involvement in a 1993 drug trafficking case in the U.S. resurfaced after he declared his presidential ambition in 2022. Documents from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois revealed that Tinubu forfeited $460,000 to the U.S. government over allegations of narcotics trafficking and money laundering.
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Certificate Forgery Scandal
El-Rufai also referenced the controversy surrounding Tinubu’s academic records at Chicago State University (CSU). The issue gained attention after former Vice President and opposition leader, Atiku Abubakar, took legal action to compel CSU to release Tinubu’s academic records.
The court proceedings fueled allegations that Tinubu submitted a forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the 2023 elections.
El-Rufai’s comments add to the growing dissatisfaction with Tinubu’s administration, even among his former allies. Many Nigerians who supported Tinubu expected bold economic and governance reforms, but critics argue that the country’s situation has worsened.